Supply chains spotlight

Indian critical minerals producer Lohum launched the country’s first battery-grade lithium refinery earlier this month, designed to be able to consume both primary and secondary feedstocks, Fastmarkets heard this week.

Cobalt market dynamics are intensifying as the DRC’s export suspension fuels volatility, raises supply chain concerns, and impacts global pricing and investments

French shipping giant CMA CGM Group’s plan to invest $20 billion in maritime transportation, logistics and supply chains in the US over the next four years signals the start of a turnaround for US shipbuilding and will increase demand for steel plate by as much as an estimated $2 billion over the term of the investment, according to market participants.

The US aluminium market faces growing instability as ongoing tariff adjustments take a toll on cross-border trade with Canada. This article examines how uncertain policies are driving pricing risks, creating volatility in premiums, and forcing industry players to pause transactions.

President Trump has threatened to double tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminium to 50%, potentially escalating tensions in US-Canada trade relations. If implemented, this move could have significant economic consequences and may prompt retaliatory actions from Canada. The article examines the potential implications of this tariff hike and its impact on the steel and aluminium industries, as well as the broader trade dynamics between the two nations.

Trump’s steel tariffs aim to boost the US steel industry by taxing imported steel and encouraging domestic production. The goal is to make U.S. steel more competitive globally while addressing national security and trade concerns. However, the tariffs have caused international tension, reshaping trade ties and raising questions about costs for U.S. businesses relying on steel imports.